NHL Awards will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 26 at 8 p.m. ET.
NEWARK, N.J. -- The NHL Awards will air Monday, June 26 on TNT, Sportsnet and TVA Sports. New Jersey Devils forwards Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier are nominated along with head coach Lindy Ruff. Below is everything you need to know ahead of the big event.
Devils Nominated for Awards
Jack Hughes: Lady Byng Trophy
Given annually to the player voted best to combine sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and ability as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Hughes ranked 12th in the league with 99 points (43 goals, 56 assists), a 43-point increase from the 2021-22 season. He led the Devils to a 49-point improvement in the standing, the largest year-over-year gain since the League implemented an 82-game schedule in 1995‑96. Through 78 games, he received six penalty minutes, tied for the second-fewest among the NHL’s top 100 scorers.
The former first-overall pick is the second player in New Jersey's franchise history voted as a finalist and the first nominee since Zach Parise in the 2008-09 season. Hughes could become the third player in NHL history to win the award at age 21 or younger, joining Wayne Gretzky and Paul Kariya.
Nico Hischier: Frank J. Selke Trophy
Given annually to the forward voted best to excel in the defensive aspects of the game as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Hischier, 24, is a first-time nominee. He ranked second among Devils forwards averaging 19:17 of ice time, second in blocked shots with 61, and first in short-handed ice time per game, averaging 2:05.
The last Devils player to be named a finalist for the Selke Trophy was John Madden, who was the runner-up to Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings in 2008. Hischier can become the first New Jersey skater to win the award since Madden took home the honors in 2001.
Lindy Ruff: Jack Adams Award
Given annually to the coach in the NHL who has "contributed the most to his team's success" as voted on by the NHL Broadcasters' Association.
Ruff is a four-time finalist and won the Jack Adams as the Buffalo Sabres head coach during the 2005-06 season. He was the runner-up in 2006-07 with the Sabres and finished third in 2015-16 with the Dallas Stars.
The veteran coach saw his team earn a franchise record for most wins (52) and points (112) in a single season. Their 28 road wins were also a Devils record and their 11-game road winning streak from Oct. 20 to Dec. 3 was the second-longest in NHL history.
He ranks fifth in NHL history in games (1,713) and wins (834), and would become the second Devils coach to win since Jacques Lemaire was awarded the honors during the 1993-94 season.
What to Know About the 2023 NHL Award Show
5:30 p.m. – NHL Awards Red Carpet Arrivals
8 p.m. to 10 p.m. – 2023 NHL Awards
Country music star Dierks Bentley will host the event and his son, Knox, will serve as a special correspondent for the evening.
The official press release states the list of presenters include: Willie O’Ree, Mark Messier, Pekka Rinne, Jessie James Decker, LOCASH, Dustin Lynch, Trevor Rosen (Old Dominion), Darius Rucker, Jelly Roll, Trisha Yearwood, Sarah Nurse, David Poile, Nate Bargatze, Sheamus, David Amber, Caroline Cameron and Anson Carter.
According to NHL.com, a total of 11 awards including the Hart Trophy, James Norris Memorial Trophy, Vezina Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, Calder Memorial Trophy, Jack Adams Award, Frank J. Selke Trophy, Lady Byng Trophy, King Clancy Memorial Trophy, Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award will be handed out. It's worth noting the General Manager of the Year winner will be announced at the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft on June 28.